34 NO STRUGGLE NO SELECTION 



darkness in which she lies. This explains how the 

 lioness in confinement devours her cubs when the 

 darkness of her den is broken in upon by the intru- 

 sion of light. Her sense of security and safety is at 

 once dispelled by the disturbing light, and the frar of 

 her mate, or other desert prowler, being near impels 

 her to anticipate his feast. It is extremely probable, 

 as I have already said, that when the danger period 

 for her cubs has passed she goes forth to find the 

 mate she has for the time being deserted, and when 

 she has found him makes him the family provider." 



"Well," remarked my friend here, "this may be so, 

 or it may not be so. You spoke some time ago of 

 being able to produce evidence, irrefragable I think 

 you said it was, and irrefutable, as to the cannibal 

 habit of carnivorous males. Is it not full time that 

 you should produce it ? " 



" I shall do so with pleasure," I answered. " When 

 my hypothesis began to assume a plausible appearance 

 to my mind, I proceeded to submit it to a test which 

 should conclusively prove its truth or its falsehood. 

 I consulted Mr. Bartlett, Superintendent of the 

 Zoological Gardens, who was then living, and he 

 informed me that every carnivorous species, and every 

 prolific herbivorous species required, before the 

 parturition of the female, to have the male removed ; 

 for if this were not done, the brood would be straight- 

 way devoured by it." 



" But," asked my interlocutor, " is it not possible to 

 believe that the behaviour of the males is due to the 



